Westside Neighborhood School

WNS embodies a positive, child-centered approach to education.  Our challenging curriculum and programs are designed to encourage each individual student to fully develop his or her potential - intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 539 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $39,000
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 1 / Jan. 8 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Westside Neighborhood School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-8
Year Founded
1980
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
539 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
52%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Westside Neighborhood School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
80 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
70%
Average Class Size
20 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Dec. 1 / Jan. 8 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
One-time new family fee: $2,500 Facilities and Security fee: $1,600
% on Financial Aid
25%
Admissions Director
Dayna Hollins
Admissions Associate
Alice Wyman
Endowment Size
$6.1 million

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
12 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Ceramics, Cooking, Dance, Drama, Mandarin, many more, Orchestra & Ensemble, Outdoor Adventures, Student Council, Tae Kwan Do, Web Page & Video Game Design, Yearbook

School Notes

WNS PHILOSOPHY
  • Our philosophy is to provide innovative ways to encourage children to take responsibility for their own learning.The school`s program is built on four pillars: `Academic Excellence`, `Character`, `Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Justice`, and `Community`. Faculty members model what they teach: respect and responsibility, love of teaching and joy of learning, sense of humor, open communication, and teamwork. Students are encouraged to be creative, independent, and self-disciplined. We believe in the importance of fostering resilience in our students and value perseverance, effort, and learning from our mistakes. WNS students understand the importance of community while respecting individual differences. Our goal is to instill in our students a love of learning, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of our world both in and outside the classroom.
THE WNS ADVANTAGE
  • WNS embraces a positive, child-centered approach to education that strives to fully develop the potential of each student intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. Our high academic and ethical standards encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and their behavior. Propelled by curiosity, WNS students are learners, doers, and makers. We provide students with a platform to become entrepreneurs by nurturing their intrinsic ability to innovate. Our program is designed to engage students in a project-based, active-learning curriculum that challenges all students to grow. We provide an environment steeped in a growth mindset where each child is able to experience success, embrace mistakes as a part of the journey, is confident in taking intellectual risks, and where individuals feel valued in their differences and value the differences in others. Our goal is to instill in our students a love of learning, an understanding of our world, and to provide an environment of collegiality and professional growth for our teachers and staff. WNS recognizes that children have different learning styles and learn best at different rates. Our program is built from the best practices derived from the progressive, developmental, and traditional educational philosophies, and employs a variety of experiential age-appropriate activities designed to accommodate students' needs, invite their creativity, and challenge their growth.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Westside Neighborhood School cost?
Westside Neighborhood School's tuition is approximately $39,000 for private students.
Does Westside Neighborhood School offer a summer program?
Yes, Westside Neighborhood School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Westside Neighborhood School offer?
Westside Neighborhood School offers 7 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is Westside Neighborhood School's ranking?
Westside Neighborhood School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Largest student body and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Westside Neighborhood School?
The application deadline for Westside Neighborhood School is Dec. 1 / Jan. 8 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 1 / Jan. 8 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
What neighborhood is Westside Neighborhood School located?
Westside Neighborhood School is located in the Playa Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (6 reviews)
5  
We have had an outstanding experience at WNS from their early childhood center to middle school. One of the standout features of WNS is its commitment to providing individualized attention to each student. With small class sizes, teachers are able to tailor their approach to meet the unique needs of every learner. Whether it's through personalized tutoring, extra help sessions, or advanced enrichment opportunities, students receive the support they need to thrive academically. We also love that WNS prides itself on its tight-knit community, where students, parents, faculty, and staff come together to create a supportive and inclusive environment. With a range of community-building activities, such as school-wide events, parent-teacher associations, and alumni networks, Elite Academy fosters lifelong connections that extend beyond graduation.
- Posted by
5  
I can't say enough good things about WNS. Seriously. My daughter, now in 4th grade, started in 3rd and has absolutely thrived. Her teachers are incredible; warm, caring, and always accessible. They know and teach to the individual child. It is evident that a tremendous amount of thought is put into it their programs and creating a true learning environment. As a parent, I'm learning and evolving as I watch my daughter being taught tolerance, kindness, and curiosity. The curriculum goes well beyond the core subjects to include language, art, music, and STEM. I feel extremely fortunate that we found WNS and got to be part of this awesome community. If every school in our country were run like WNS, we would live in a much better world. Truly.
- Posted by
5  
We couldn't be happier at WNS. We have 2 children who attend, grades 2 and 4. We started 6 years ago in the ECC. Both of our kids are thriving and are so excited to go to school every day. In fact, they don't want us to pick them up a minute before, 5:30 when aftercare is over. The community and environment are intentional, caring, and thoughtful. We have seen a big leap academically in 4th grade with homework and higher expectations as the grades progress. The school communicates with the parents very well, we always know what's going on, and if there's an issue it's handled swiftly. All the kids at WNS are really kind kids and we believe it has everything to do with how WNS partners with us to help raise our kids when they're at school. Class sizes are small, we have less than 25 kids in each class with 2 lead teachers and an assistant. For math and reading, the kids are put into small groups for their level so they can be challenged or go slower according to their individual needs. The kids get two specialist classes a day for art, Spanish, design/make/code, PE, and music. The administration cares about each family and wants to see them succeed. If a family is having a tough time, they will help in a number of ways. They have a mental health support staff the kids know they can go to at any time. The teachers are amazing, and our kids feel safe and supported. It's a really wonderful school and we couldn't be happier at WNS.
- Posted by
5  
Finding a great school in a big city can be difficult and overwhelming. I must have applied to a dozen elementary schools of all different types public, charter, magnet, dual language, SAS. Private had not even been on my radar, since I went to public school and had always assumed that my children would as well. I had heard about WNS from a few families in my neighborhood, and once I saw it and started learning more about it, it really stood out to me as a place that would be worth sending my daughter to. We're now in our second year my daughter is in 1st grade and my son just joined the preschool and I am completely WOWed by the school, the staff, the program, the community, etc. I love the diversity of the school (both the student body and the staff), the low student-to-teacher ratios, the work-around growth mindset, and the focus on social-emotional learning and character development. I'm frequently amazed by the kinds of phrases my kids come home with and the skills they are developing at such a young age they even work on "conflict resolution" in preschool! I also can't say enough good things about the after-school program not only is a spot always guaranteed for your child, but the enrichment classes offered right at the school are unbelievably convenient for busy parents. My kids have gotten to experience yoga, tennis, soccer, ceramics, science, music, performing arts, cooking, and more. Beyond the school, the efforts to build a strong community right from the start both within a class and across grades make you feel like you are part of a family. It was a really big decision to send my kids to WNS, but I feel so good every day knowing that they're there in such a warm, nurturing, and safe environment.
- Posted by
5  
We have three kids at WNS ranging from 2-8 years old and can't say strongly enough how much we love it. The community at WNS is empathetic, thoughtful, and dedicated to children's growth in every way imaginable. It's an environment that values inclusivity, academic excellence, a growth mindset, and imaginative thinking. We know our kids are as safe and loved at school as they are at home. WNS is a place that values children and parents needs. If you are looking for a school who is innovating with our changing world, paying attention to what works and what can be better, and is one step ahead of the needs of its students, this is it.
- Posted by
5  
We're new to WNS and my family and I absolutely love the school. I didn't know what to expect seeing that my son was coming from a school that wasn't independent. However, the students and staff were all so welcoming that my son fit right in. Really...every single kid and staff member has been so incredibly nice. To say my son loves WNS is an understatement and as a parent, it makes me so happy to know he enjoys going to school. The resources at WNS are amazing and the hands-on learning really plays a part in the development of the children. The Diversity at the school is unlike any other school I've seen in LA and the students learn so much from each other. I really do feel like my son can be himself and be free. We feel so fortunate to have our son attend such a great school.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 539 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $39,000
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 1 / Jan. 8 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Los Angeles, CA is $17,072 for elementary schools and $23,342 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Los Angeles, CA is 80% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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